Can end assembling machine



April 3o, 1946.

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ATToF/vf-YS Patented Apr. 30, 1946 CAN END ASSEMBLING MACHINE `lohn F.Peters, Leonie., N. J., assigner to American Can Company, New York, N.Y., a corporation of New Jersey Application February 25, i943. SerialNo. 477,123

- an emerged scale as taken along the section line 15 Claims.

The present invention relates to an apparatus for making a tubular brecan by assembling fibre ends and-a formed tubular nbre body and 4hasparticular reference to an apparatus for automatically feeding top andbottom ends into assembied positions within the body, for tucking incorners of the body to hold the ends in place and for bending adjacentparts of the body wall into end' seam joints to produce the nished can.

'I'he apparatus disclosed in the drawings and described herein isadapted for use in the manufacture of fibre containers and the containerillustrated ln the Hothersall Patent 2,085,979, issued by the UnitedStates Patent Oce on July 6, 1937, has been chosen to exemplify a typeof container the manufacture o which is adapted to treatment hereindescribed and claimed.

An object of the invention is the provision of an apparatus for treatingformed tubular bodies having inwardly projecting beads adjacent bothends of thebody by advancing the body without interruption through aseries of operating stations at each of which stations mechanism isarranged for automatically assembling bottom and top ends with the bodyin such a way as to seat the ends on the inwardly projecting beads,following which a body section outside of the beads and outside of theseated ends first is tucked in at the corners to hold the ends inassembled position and then the body edges are bent inwardly and presseddownto squeeze the ends between the bent and beaded body sections in endseam joints.

Another object oi the invention is the provision or a continuouslyoperating conveyor having can body pockets into `which fibre can bodiesare received and retained during passage through the operating stations,certain parts of the conveycr pockets cooperating with mechanism at theoperating stations for assembling the ends and the body and for formingthe end seams therebetween.

Numerous other objects and advantages of the inventionwill be apparentas it is better understood from the following description, which, takenin connection with the accompanying drawings,

discloses a preferred embodiment thereof.

v Reierring to the drawings:

s-il in Fig. l:

Fig. 5 is a pian sectional view taken along the section line E-- in Fig.4 and drawn to the same scale as Fig. i;

Fig. 6 is a plan sectional view drawn to an enlarged scale as takenalong the line 6-6 in Fig. 4 and showing feeding ofthe bottom end;

Fig. '7 is a perspective detail of a part of the top end feedingmechanism;

Fig. 8 is a transverse vertical section taken along the line @-8 in Fig.6 and showing a part of the bottom end feeding mechanism;

Fig. v9 is a vertical sectional detail as viewedalong the line 9 3 inFig. 6;

Fig. 10 is a sectional detail of parts of the mechanism used in feedinga top end member;

Fig. l1 is a plan view of one of the top end member assembling units,the view being taken from a position indicated by the line il-ii in Fig.fi;

Fig. l2 is a front elevation of the unit shown 'in Fig. 1l;

Fig. 13 is a horizontal sectional detail taken along .the line.y 13--93in Fig. 12;

Fig. 14 is a side elevation of the unit illustrated in Fig. l2;

Fig. l5 is an enlarged detail in horizontal section of an air valveassociated with the top end assembling unit as viewed along the sectionline i--ii in Figi; n

Fig. i6 is an enlarged plan section as viewed along the section lineill-id in Fig. zi.;

Fig. 1'7 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line il-il in Fig.lli;

Fig. 18 is an enlarged vertical sectional detail taken along the lineld-iil in Fig. 1 and showing a treating step as applied to the assembledcan body and bottom end;

Fig. 19 is a fragmentary plan View, partially in horizontal section,tahen substantially along the l line it--i in Fig. 18.

Figure 1 is a plan of an apparatus embodying the present invention withparts broken away;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged side elevation of the forward end of the machinewith parts broken away; Fig. 3 is a similar-.enlarged view of the rearend of the machine with parts broken away;

Fig. 4 is a transverse vertical sectional view on Fig. 20 is afragmentary `face View in side ele- -vation taken on an enlarged scaleas viewed from the position 23-2@ in Fig. 18;

Fig. 21 is a plan sectional view drawn to an enlarged scale as takenthrough a treating mechanism lor the assembled can body and bottom end,the section line 2i--2i in Fig. 3 indicating the kind oi section butbeing applied to duplicate mechanism for the assembled body and top end;

Fig. 22 is a transverse vertical sectional detail taken along the line22-22 inFig. 21;

Y Fig. 23 is a side elevation of a portion of the mechanism illustratedin Fig. 22;

Fig. 24 is a vertical sectional detail drawn to 24-24 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 25 is a vertical sectional detail drawn to an enlarged scale astaken along the line 25-25 in Fig. 3: and

Fig. 26 is a side elevation partially broken away and drawn to anenlarged scale as viewed along the line 26-28 in Fig. l.

The apparatus disclosed in the drawings comprises a continuouslyoperating endless conveyor A (Figs. 1, 2 and 3) which is carried betweenspaced sprockets mounted on horizontal shafts. This mounting insuresthat an upper run of the conveyor A moves along a horizontal workingplane and back through a horizontal return plane.

' when the conveyor is passing into and along its horizontal workingrun, to provide conveyor pockets for receiving and holding formed canbodies a. Such can body molds when passing over the sprockets open upand cease to function as can receiving and holding pockets.

The can body a is dropped into a conveyor pocket just as the pocket iscoming into its upper working run position. A can body chute magazine Bis located over the conveyor at the feed-in end of this upper runsection and can bodies in vertical stacked formation constitute a canbody supply for the moving conveyor.

Reference has been made to conveyor A having body retaining molds. Thecan bodies a at both ends of the body have inwardly projecting beads b(best shown in Fig. 24) which t more exactly the molds of the conveyorpockets so that the bodies when presented for treatment at variousoperating stations are held firmly against longitudinal as well aslateral displacement. This will be referred to again in more detail asthe description proceeds.

A can body a when received in the conveyor pocket is brought into thefirst operating station which is an assembling station C. In theassembling station the body receives a bottom end c and top end d.f'Both bottom and top ends are brought into station C by automatic feeddevices and these will be considered at this time.

The bottom end c consists of a at bre disc and in the present embodimentof the invention which illustrates a rectangular can body'a having asquare cross section, this bottom disc is square. A supply of bottomends c is retained in `stacked formation on a bottom end feed devicegenerally indicated at D in Figs. 1, 6 and 26. This stack of bottom endsis retained in a position slightly inclined from the horizontal. Asingle bottom end is picked out of the feed device D by a bottomtransfer unit E which in turn transfers the bottom end into a bottominserting unit F located in the assembling station C.

The top end d consists of two parts, a main square disc and on this ishinged a closure plug e (Figs. 16 and 17). The closure plug is stapled1o the end and in one position closes a dispensing opening cut in theend wall and in another position this dispensing opening is free oruncovered. This particular style of top end is fully described in theaforementioned Hothersall patent.

The top end d is fed from a magazine G (Figs.

1, 4,116 and 17) which is inclined slightly from the vertical and inthis magazine the ends are retained in stack formation and constitute asupply of tops. While in the magazine the closure plug e of the top endd is in closed position. A single top member dis picked oi! of thebottom of the stack by a combined top feeding and inserting unit H. Thisunit is located in the assembling station C and is on the opposite side,that is the front, of the machine from the bottom inserting unit F whichis at the rear.

During the time a top end d is being brought from the magazine G into anassembled position,

it passes a closure plug opening device J. This.

opening device functions to pressthe closure plug e out of thedispensing opening and hinges it back into the open position. The topend thereupon remains open as it is inserted into the can body a in theassembling station C.

Both bottom and top ends c and d are inserted simultaneously intoopposite ends and against the inwardly projecting beads b, of the movingcan body a. This is done by the inserting units F and H at theassembling station C. This station C is the iirst operating station. Thesecond operating station is a creasing station K (Fig. 1) in which islocated a bottom end corner creasing unit L (Figs. 18, 19 and 20) and atop end corner creasing unit M. The creasing units L and M are identicalin style and operation and act upon the two terminal edges of the canbody a outside of the end members c and d to form corner tucks f (Figs.19 and 21). These corner creases constitute the beginning of a bendingoperation and hold the end meinbers in inserted position preparatory tothe further treatment of the can.

The assembling of the can body with its two ends and the corner creasingof the edges of the can body taking place at the respective operatingstations C and K take place while the can body is continuously advancingwith the conveyor A. Following the creasing operation at station K, thecan body with its tucked-in corners and with its inserted end memberspasses through the third operating station which is a bending station N(Figs. 1 and 3). At station N both edges of the can body a aresimultaneously bent into form an end seam joint g (Figs. 21 and 22).This joint forming operation is performed by body bending and jointseaming mechanisms O at station N, one each being arranged on oppositesides of the conveyor. The mechanism 0 for the bottom end of the can isidentical in construction and operation to that of the top end seamforming mechanism and the bending operation takes place upon the canbody as it continues its advancement with the conveyor A.

This completes the treatment upon the can 'body and ends in the presentmachine. At the end of the horizontal working run of the conyveyor A,the formed can (designated by the fletter h) is brought into a dischargestation P (Figs. 1, 3 and 25). .The can h passes through the dischargemechanism at station P and out of the present machine being then readyfor further treatment such as paraflining or any of the base 3|.

2,899,250 passes over a double sprocket 36 (Figs. 3 and 5) naled in abearing 4I carried on a bracket 42 also bolted to the base 3l.

The shaft 31 is rotated from a drive shaft 45 disposed parallel theretoand through the intermediacy of meshing gears 46 and 41 secured to therespective shafts 31, 45.' The drive shaft 45.

is journaled .in bearings 48 and 49. Bearings 48 are formed in a rearcasing 5I Yand in a lfront casing 52, which casings may be an integralpart brackets 53 which are boltedon the inside end walls of therespective casings. The drive shaft 45 maybe rotated in any suitablemanner as by application of` power applied through a gear 54 which ismounted on the front end of the shaft adjacent the gear- 61.

Bearings 49 are formed in side of the body moves along the straightridges 69 of the saddle ahead -and it -is not until the can'body hasmovedlateraliy of the magazine i that the right angled ridges 8B of. thesucceeding saddle come into place inthe beads -b on the bottom andrearofthe body. When the pocket is closed it will be seen that ythe can bodyis securely held against displacement from three sides and is preventedfrom shifting laterally of the pocket by the interlocking .of the-ridges68 and B8 into the body beads. y

Each saddle. base wall 36 is vrecessed in the center leaving two spacedsidewalls 1I. The two walls 1l carry'a shaft 12 which extends across therecess at the rear of thesaddle considering its movement along theconveyor course. Shaft v 12 is enlarged in the center, as at 13, toprovide l a spacer member for sprocket rollers 14 which The rear casing5l provides'a housingand a support for0 the mechanisms D, E, F, L and Ol which operate upon the bottom ends of the can.

At the top, the casing is formed into a horizontal table section 6l(Figs. 4 and 5) and it is on this table that the various bottom endmechanisms are carried at the operating stations C, K and N. In a likemanner, the front casing 52 provides a housing and a support for themechanisms G, H, J, M and O which operate upon the top ends of the can.Casing 52 at its top is formed into a horizontal table section 62 whichprovides support and bearings for the various top end mechanisms. Boththe upper working run and the lower return run of the conveyor A passbetween the rear and front casings 5l, 52.

Conveyor A is made up of a plurality of can receiving body saddles 65(Figs. 2, 4' and 24) each of which is formed with a base wall 36 and aside wall el at right angles to the base wall. Centrally of the saddlethe walls t and B1 are hat but to the front and rear of the machine theinside of each wall is projected laterally and inwardly into spacedinclined ridges 68. Thus these ridges are formed on the inside ofbothwalls and are at both ends of the saddle in such a manner as toprovide a right angled corner projection at each end. These cornerridges are adapted to fit snugly into the beads o of a can body o alongtwo adjacent sides when the body is' looked in a pocket of the conveyor.Fig. 24

illustrates this locked position. This is what is meant by referring tothe conveyor pockets as can receiving molds.

vare,- loosely mounted on the shaft.

In the front the base wall of each saddle is projected forward in twospaced lugs 15 and these lugs extendover and pivotally connect with theshaft 12 of the adjacent preceding saddle. In other words the saddles 65are formed as links in the chain which constitutes the conveyor A, therebeing twovadjacent shafts 12 for eachv saddle pocket. and also thedouble sprocket v36 are formed and are spaced to provide seats for therollers 'i4 as the various saddles pass over the sprockets.. This is awell known construction in roller chain design and is fully illustratedin Figs. 2, 3 and 2li.

The conveyor A is supported against sagging on its upper working run bygrooved tracks it (Figs. 2, 3 and 4) which .extend between the sprockets33236. For this purpose there are two parallel tracks. At the entranceend of the conveyor each track it is supported upon a bracket 1l (Fig.2) bolted to an extension bearing lt which preferably is an integralpart of the bearing 3d ofeach bracket d5.- At the forward or exit end ofthe conveyor A, each track i6 is supported upon a bracket 19 lwhich inturn is bolted to an extension frame Sli formed as an ties together thetwo brackets 32.

The side wall @l at the rear, that is opposite the ridges .53, and atboth front and rear of the machine, also is projected out into a pair ofspaced straight ridges 69. These-ridges are of the same shape in crosssection as the ridges B6. When a can body is being locked in a conveyorpocket, the side wall part 69 of the ridge 68 of one saddle 65 moves upparallel to the straight ridge 69 of the next preceding' saddle. Thistakes yplace after the conveyor A brings the rear saddle onto its upperstraight run. This is best illustrated in Fig. 2 at the top ofthe'conveyor and to the right of the maga-Y In this way a solid supportis provided vfor the tracks and as soon as a saddle leaves the sprocket322 as it begins its upper run, its rollers pass onto the tracks l.During the movement of each sad die through the operating stations, theupper run oi the conveyor chain thus is held taut and the saddles areretained in true container holding position until the rollers leave thetracks 16 and pass onto the sprockets By that time, the work or assemblyhaving been preformed, the conveyor pockets open up preparatory to thecan discharge. This insures the proper holding of the can bodies whilebeing conveyed through the machine.

The can body magazine B comprises substantially vertical, spaced rods 3l(Figs. l and 2) which are held together by guide straps 82. The rods 8lform guides for a stack of the preformed open ended can bodies a whichrest in stack formation within the magazine. Whenl a conveyor pocketcomes into can body receiving position as illustrated in Fig. 2, thelowermost body drops down intothe saddle and back of the adjacentpreceding saddle, as has already been described.

The conveyor continues its movement (toward the right as viewed in Fig.2) and the lowermost The double sprocket 32 can body is moved laterallyout from under the magazine. The body next above is retained in thestack, being so held by the side wall 81 of the saddle which is removingthe body then leaving the magazine. Such a body passes beneath laterallyextending fot sections 99 formed on or secured to the forward magazinerods 9|. This keeps the body down against the base wall of the saddle inwhich the body rests until the body is fully locked within the conveyorpocket. Each conveyor pocket upon locking a can body in the advancingconveyor thereupon holds and presents the can body to the variousworking mechanisms at the operating stations.

The bottom end feed D for holding the bottom end members c is bestillustrated in Figs. 1, 6 and 26. This unit consists primarily of spacedparallel walls 9| bolted at one side to a casing ring 92 which partiallyencloses the bottom transfer unit E and on the other side to a spacerplate 93. The casing ring is secured to an upwardly extendingsemi-circular shell 94 (Figs. 5 and 8) formed on the table 8|. Thisspacer plate 93 is bolted to a channel guide iron 99 which is mounted ontop of a bracket 98 (Fig. 6) resting on and secured to the casing tablesection 8|. The guide iron also partially enclose's the bottom transferunit.

The end feed walls 9| extend at a slight angle to the horizontalpitching up slightly from their position of attachment with the parts92, 99. A slideway extends inside of and along the bottom edge of eachwall 9| such slideways being'formed by grooves cut in the walls for thereception of side tongues 98 formed on a bottom slide plate 99. Theupper end of plate 99 is connected to a link which in turn pivotallyconnects with a crank disc |0| which is carried at the upper end of avertical shaft |02. The shaft |02 extends up from and is journaled insuitable bearings formed in the base 3|. Shaft |02 is rotated in anysuitable manner so that the slide plate 99 slides in and out relative tothe parallel walls 9|.

'I'he bottom ends c are stacked in slightly inclined but nearlyhorizontal position on edge and are retained in stacked form between theparallel walls 9|. The space between the walls 9| is'not suicient forthe full width of a bottom end and the stack therefore is flared out asseen from above and is disposed at an angle. as best shown in Fig. 6. Byreason of the resulting agitating sliding movement and the supportingeffect of the plate 99, the ends c are urged toward the right as theyare fed toward the bottom transfer unit E. This transfer unit operatesupon the foremost edge of the forward bottom end c in the stack andwithdraws each end individually, thus transferring the end from the feedunit D. The bottom transfer unit E will now be considered.

Bottom transfer unit E may be' of the type illustrated in'my UnitedStates Patent 2,303,385, issued December 1. 1942, and comprises a turret|05 (Figs. 6 and 8) which is mounted 0n the upper end of a verticalshaft |08. This shaft is journaled in a bottom bearing |01 formed in thetable section 8| and in an upper bearing |08 formed in a bracket |09secured to theinner face of the casing ring 94. Just above the bearing|01 and above the surface of the table 8| the shaft |08 carries a spurgear by means oi' which the shaft and the turret are rotated withoutinterruption during the operation of the machine.

Rotation of gear is effected through a gear train leading from the driveshaft 48 as best shown in Fig. 5. Drive shaft 49 carries a bevelassalito gear ||2 which meshes with a similar gear ||3 mounted on ashort vertical shaft H4.A Shaft ||4 is `journaled in a bearing formed inthe table section 8|. 'A spur gear IIE is secured to the shaft ||4 justabove its bearing and is so located as to be in the same plane as thegear and other gears intermediate thereto.

The gear train which connects gear ||8 with gear includes a gear ||8which meshes with the gear H5. Gear I I6 is keyed to the lower end of asleeve l1 which is an integral part of a turret I i8 (Fig. 21) for oneof the seaming mechanisms O at the bending station N. This turret ||8rotates on a vertical stationary shaft ||9 held in a suitable bearingformed in the table section 8|.

The gear ||6 also meshes with an idler spur gear |28 (Fig. 5) mounted ona shouldered stud |28 which is screwed to the table 8|. Rotation of theidler gear |25 is' transmitted to a spur gear |21 which meshestherewith. Gear |21 is keyed to the lower end of a sleeve |28 (see alsoFig. 18) which is an integral part of a turret |29 of the bottom cornercreasing unit L at the creasing station K. This turret |29 rotates on a.vertical stationary shaft |3| which is held inl a suitable bearing |32formed in thetable section 6|.

The gear |21 also meshes with an idler spur gear I 35 (Fig. 5) mountedon a shouldered stud |38 which is secured in the table 6|. Rotation ofthe idler gear |35 is transmitted to a spur gear |31 which meshestherewith. Gear |91 is keyed to the lower end of a sleeve |38 (Fig. 4)which is an integral part of a turret |39 of the bottom inserting unit Fat the assembling station C. This turret |39 rotates on a verticalstationary shaft |40 held in a bearing formed in the table section 8l.Gear |31 meshes directly with the gear in the bottom transfer unit E,thus completing the gear train.

The turret |05 (Figs. 6 and 8) is cut away in its upper face to providepockets |4| and in each pocket a feed shoe |42 is pivoted on a pin |43`carried in the turret. These pockets are opened along the periphery ofthe turret. The outer face of each feed shoe is recessed at |44 for thereception of a resilient band unit.

Each band unit comprises a curved plate |45. This plate is surrounded byan endless rubber or other resilient band |49. The plate and bandconstitute a removable band unit and such a unit is adapted to fit intoand to be secured within the recess |44 of a feed shoe |42. Screw |41and |48 may be used to hold the band unit in th feed shoe.

When the feed shoe is in its outer pivoted position the outer convexwall of the band |46 extends `lust beyond the periphery of the turret|05. It is yieldably held in this extended position by a spring |49interposed between the feed shoe and an adjacent wall of the feed shoepocket |4|, both walls being counterbored to form seats for the spring.

The constant reciprocation of the bottom slide plate 99 of the bottomend feed D aided by its slight incline to the horizontal, keeps thestack of bottom ends c pressed over toward the transfer turret |05. As afeed shoe |42 sweeps across the mouth of the magazine space between thewalls 9|, the forward bottom end c of the stack is fric- `tiona1lyengaged by the outer wall of the rub- I ing ,assenso vlguide channeliron l! andis rguided by this channel member into the bottom insertingunit Fat the assembling station C. The width ofthe bottom end is greaterthan the contacting rubber band |66 of the feed shoe |42 and where thetop ofthe advancing end projects above the shoe and above the turret|06, it passes over'an idler roller' |5| spaced inwardly from theconcave wall of .the channel iron. Roller IBI is loosely mounted on aheaded stud |52 which is threadedly engaged in an overhanging lug weformed on the channel iron. This assists in guiding the bottom end.

and also assists in springing the end to the curvature required for itspassage through the channel iron.

The bottom inserting unit F (Figs. 4 and e) includes the turret |39which revolves on the stationary shaft Nid. This turret carries aplurality oi end inserting heads I@ the drawings showeight such heads.One head receives one bottom end from its are four feed shoes thetranserturret It! makes two revolutions tor each revolution of theinserting turret it@ carrying its eight inserting heads.

Each inserting head lui is formed as a doubleunit consisting broadly ofan inner part |62 and an outer part ltd. yThese partshaveindependentoscillation on the same vertical axis in addition to'being carriedbodily around the shaft it@ with the revolving turret |39. Each bart iscam controlled so that the cut-,out bottom end c being carried around byits feed shoe |62 will be met by an inserting head in a proper positionfor transfer and the headpicking ouy the can end then willinsert itgently into the can body a. as the cam controlled inner and outer partsmov into the proper and correct position. 4

The inner head part |62 of each inserting head |t| at its bottom end isformed in a cylindrical boss we which is mounted on and is secured tothe upper end of a vertically disposed spindle Its. Each spindle mit isjournaled in a sleeve' it@ formed as an integral part of the turret |39.

it the bottom the spindle carries an arm |81 the outer end of whichholds a pin |6|i on which a 4 cam roller |69 is rotatably mounted.

The gear |31 is surrounded in part by an upstanding circular wall |1|which is an integral part of the table 6|. A circular face cam |12 ismounted on and is secured to the wall |1| and forms a ceiling for achamber enclosing the gear |31, two sides of the chamber where the gear|31 meshes with gears and |35 being open. A

-cam groove |13 is formed in the upper face oi the cam and the camrollers |69 of the sightinserting heads traverse and'operate in the camgroove. This enects the desired oscillation of the inner part mi of theinserting head |t|.

The outer head part |63 of each inserting head |d| is formed at thebottom ina sleeve section |113 which encircl'es the boss ttt of theinner part. Head part itil at the top carries a bracket |15 which issecured thereto. This bracket extends up over the center of the spindle|65 and then entends laterally in an arm |16. This arm at its -endcarries a cam roller |11. The 'roller |11 of each inserting head isadapted to traverse a, cam groove |18 formed in the lower face of astation ary cam |19.

Cam |19 is mounted on top of the stationary shaft It@ and is keyed tothe shaft as at ll.

This construction insures that the cam |19 remains stationary while thecam rollers |11 of the eight outer inserting head parts traverse the camgroove |18. In this manner the outer head part is oscillated in propertime to eect the re feed shoe |62 and since there' ceipt oi.' a bottomend c from the transfer device or unit E and the insertion of the end inva can body a.

-Each inner head part |62 (Figs. 4 and 6) carries four suction cups |88which are mounted on a vertical wall |85 of the inner head. As theinserting head approaches the position where it is to receive a bottomend c, this inner head part |62 is moved on the vertical axis of thehead so that all four suction cups will engage the end simultaneously,preparatory to pulling it oil of the feed shoe |42.

As soon as the end c is picked up by the suction cups, the outer headpart |63 is shifted on the vertical center of the head through themedium of its cam device and thisadvances a, circular projecting nnger|81 so that the finger and for this purpose suitable ducts andpassageways lead from eachl cup into the center of each vspindle |65. Inone position of the spindle a lateral port extending from the center oi'the spindle to the outside communicates with a horizontal passageway Ibiformed in each turret sleeve |66. A port |92 extends vertically to thetop surface of the turret |39, sucha port being located near the innerend of each passageway.

This port |92 is closed or opened as the turret revolves around theshaft im, this being .effected by a disc valve |93 which surrounds theshaft and is feathered to it. Valve |93 is yieldably pressed intoairtight engagement with the flat surface at the top of the turret |39by a spring. |9| which surrounds the shaft and which is backed up by acollar Wt pinned onto the shaft.

Valve |93 is provided with suitable channels and passageways sothat-when suction is applied to the suctioncups air is removed from thecups through the valve and'by way of a central port |96 formedlongitudinally in the upper end of the v shaft itil. This portterminatesl at the top end of the shaft and a suction pipe |91connecting with 'the port leads to a suitable source of vacuum, such asa pump or a vacuum tank (not shown).

It is thoughtthat the foregoing description is sumcient to brieflyexplain the operation of the suction cups me and to give an idea of theconstruction of the inserting head units itl. These units aresubstantially of the same construction as corresponding parts in the topfeeding and inserting unit H and more detailed illustration anddescription will be given when this latter unit is taken uphereinafter.

After the inserting head has received a bottom end c from the transfershoe M2, the turret inoves through degrees to bring the suction held endinto a position where it is inserted into the can body a at theassemblingstation C.` As best illustrated in Fig. 6, the forward edge ofthe held bottom end c is 'rst inserted into the forward wall part of thecan body, toward the right as viewed in this ligure; so that the end isbrought near to the body bead b by a suitable rocking of the inner headpart mi to the left or in a counter-clockwise direction, also as viewedin Fig. 6. The head part |62 of as shown in this fleure the insertinghead ,which is moving adjacent the left-hand can body is first rocked ina clockwise direction` by action of the cam groove |13 of the cam |12acting on the roller |60 for this particular inserting head. Thereuponas the inserting head and can body move closer together in theircontinued advancement (toward the right) the leading edge of the bottomc enters into the end of the can body a and as both bottom and bodyadvance the head part is shifted back in a counter-clockwise directionto overcome the slight angular difference between bottom and body and tobring the bottom parallel to and to fully seat ii on the body bead b.This fully inserted position is shown in the right hand or advanced bodya of Fig. 6. Thus the bottom c is squarely inserted into the end of thecan body as the body passes the center line of the turret shaft |40 atright angles to the advancement of the can body.

Following this action and without any interruption in the advancement ofeither the can body a or the bottom end c the inserting head part |62 isrocked back so that the inserted end is not disturbed and will not bedrawn from its inserted position. At the same time suction is c ut i offfrom the suction cups and air is admitted to the cups tn break thevacuum. This operation is performed through the disc valve |03 by way ofa vent port |98 extending vertically through the stationary valve. thevent port at such time aligning with the vertical port |92 in the turret|39.

At the time that the bottom end c is inserted into one end yof the canbody a, the top end d is also inserted in the other or opposed end ofthe can body. .The feeding of the top end into assembling positionwithin the assembling sta tion C will now be discussed.

The magazine G (Figs. 1, 2, 4l, 16 and 17) comprises an inclined chute200 which is mounted on a bracket 20|. Bracket 20| is bolted to abracket frame 202 which sets on and is secured to the top of the tablesection 62. At the bottom end, the chute 200 is formed with a curvedfloor 203 which terminates adjacent vertical side walls 204. I'he topends d are placed in the inclined chute 200 in stack formation. As eachtop end is removed in the operation of feeding to thetop feeding andinserting unit H, the rest of the stack moves down and fills up thecircular passage 203.

While in the circular section of the magazine, the ends fan out, as bestshown in Fig. 17, and the lowermost end is separated from the stack sothat its closure plug section' e is free without any nesting of theparts. The movement of the lowermost top end e into its separated orcut-out position is effected by a separating device acting positively intime with the operation of the machine. The upper part of the cut-outend as well as the stack is retained by a plate 205 secured to thevertical wall 204 of the chute 200.

The separating device comprises a drum 2|| (Figs. 4, 7 and 1'1) which isbolted on the end of a horizontal actuating shaft 2|2. This shaft 2|2 isjournaled in a bearing 2|3 (see also Fig. 16) formed in the'bracket 20|.Outside of the bearing 2|3, the shaft 2|2 carries a bevel gear 2|4(Figs. 2 and 4) which meshes with a similar gear 2|5, mounted on avertical shaft 2|6. Shaft 2|6 is journaled in a bearing 2|1 which may bean integral part of the bracket 20| and in a bearing 2 I8 formed in thetable top 62.

Just above the bearing 2|8 the shaft 2|6 carries a spur gear 22| (Figs.2 and 5). The separating device operates continuously in its positionbeneath the stack of top ends d and rotation is imparted to shaft 2|2 byway of the gear 22| through a gear train from the drive shaft 45. Forthis purpose the drive shaft carries a bevel A gear 225 (see also Fig.3) which meshes with a similar gear 226 mounted on a short verticalshaft 221. Shaft 221 is journaled in a bearing 220 formed in the tablesection 62. A spur gear 220 is secured to the shaft 221 just above itsbearing and is so located as to be -in the same plane as the gear 22|and other gears intermediate thereof.

The gear train which connects gear 229 with gear 22| includes agear 23|which meshes with the gear 229. Gear 23| is keyed to the lower end of asleeve 232 which is or may be an integral part of a turret 233 for oneof the seaming mechanisms O at the bending station N. This turret 233rotates on a vertical stationary shaft 234 which is held in a suitablebearing 235 formed in the table section 62.

The gear 23| also meshes with an idler spur gear 236 mounted on ashouldered stud 231 which is screwed to the table 62. Rotation of theidler gear 236 is transmitted to a spur gear 240 which meshes therewith.Gear 240 is keyed to the lower end of a sleeve 24| which is an integralpart of a turret 242 (Fig. l) located at the creasing station K.

This turret 242 is a part of the top corner creasing unit M and isidentical in construction and operation with the turret |29 of thebottom corner creasing unit L in the creasing station. 'I'his mechanismperforms the same type of operation on the top end d as is perfumed onthe bottom end c by the bottom corner creasing unit L. Turret 242rotates on a vertical stationary shaft 243 which is held in suitablebearings formed in the table section 62.

- The gear 240 also meshes with an idler spur gear 245 (Figs. 2 and 5)mounted on a shouldered stud 246 which is secured in a bearing 241formed in the table 62. Rotation of the idler gear 245 is transmitteddirectly to the gear 22|.

The gear 245 also meshes With a gear 25| and this gear is keyed to thelower end of a sleeve 252 V(see also Fig. 4) which is an integral partof a turret 253 of the top feeding and inserting unit H at theassembling station C. Turret 253 rotates on a vertical stationary shaft254 held in a bearing 255 formed in the table 62.

The side walls of the chute 200 (Figs. 16 and 17) in the lower-curvedsection 203 adjacent the wall 204 are slotted at 25|. Pivoted stackretaining fingers 262 extendlnto the.chute through certain of theseslots. 'I'he fingers are spring held and provide yielding holders forthe top end d when it is swung out at the bottom by the separating drum2| Each linger is pivotally mounted on a pin 263 held in lugs 264 whichextend outwardly from the outer surface of the chute walls. A spring 265for each linger is seated in a countersunk pocket formed in theadjacentchute Wall and its opposite end presses outwardly against a'tail part ofthe linger. This insures the desired holding actonkon a bottom end beingseparated from the s ac The drum 2|| (Fig. 7) is cut across in aninclined groove 21| and a cut-out disc 212 is mounted on the shaft 2|2and is fastened into the outer faceof the drum. This disc is formed witha broken or interrupted peripheral rim 213 which terminates at one endin a knife separator 214. The knife separator projects across the frontof the groove 21|.

As the drum and disc rotate with the shaft 2 2, the knife separatorpasses in between the lowermost top end d in the chute and the end nextadjacent and cams or prys outwardly the lower edge assenso i l y y Isures that the cam 832 remains stationarywhile ofthe end. This actionforces the lower edge into the groove 21| o1 the rotating drum 2|I. Theedge of the inclined-groove thereupon swings Vthe lower edge of theendabout the top plate 205 and movesthe end beyondthe wall 204. Finallyat the end of the groove this lower edge of the cut-out top end passesout beyond the drum an'd then is in the position shown in Fig. 1'1. Thenow inclined top end d rests on two spaced extensions 215 of the chuteWall (see Figs. 16 and 17). Such a separated end now is ready forremoval by the top feeding and inserting unit H.

As previously stated the turret 253 like the turret |39 for theinsertion of the bottom end c. carries a number of inserting heads 28|(FigsA and 12).

Turret 233 carries eight inserting heads and one head receives one topend d from its inclined position as it rests on the extensions 215 ofthe chute and as it is held at the top by the plate 205.

Each inserting head ble unit consisting broadly of an inner part 282 andan outer part 233. These parts have independent oscillation on the'samevertical axis in addition to being carried bodily aroundthe shaft 254iwith the revolving turret 253. Each part is cam controlled so that theltop end when picked off from the bottom of the magazine and carriedaround will be subjected first to the action of the closure plug openingdevice J and will then be inserted into the can body a as the camcontrolled inner and outer parts move into the cor rect or properposition.

The inner head part 232 of -each inserting head 28| at its bottom end isformed in a cylindrical boss 233 which is mounted on and is secured toVthe upper end of a vertically disposed spindle 285. Each spindle 285 isjournaled in a sleeve 236 formed as an integral part-of the turret 233.At the bottom the spindle carries an arm 231 (see also Fig. 2) the outerend of which holds a pin 233 on which a cam roller 283 is rotatablymounted.

The gear 25| for rotating the turret 253 is surrounded in part by anupstanding wall 23| '(Figs. 4 and 5) preferably constituting an integralpart of the table 32. A circular' face cam 232 is mounted on and issecured to the wall 23| and forms a ceiling for a chamber enclosing thegear 25|. At two places the chamber is open where the gear 25| engageswith other gears. A cam groove 233 is formed in the upper face of thecam 232 and the cam rollers 283 of the eight inserting heads traverseand operate in the cam groove. This effects the desired oscillation forthe inner part 282 of the inserting head 28|.

'Ihe outer head part 233 oeach inserting head 23| is formed at thebottom in a sleeve section 295 which encircles the boss 23d of the innerpart. Head part 233 at the top carries a bracket 236 which is securedthereto. This bracket extends up over the center of the spindle 28E andthen extends laterally in an arm 231 (see also Figs. 11 and 12). Thisarm at its end carries a cam roller 298 mounted on a stud 293 threadedinto the end of the arm. The roller 293 of each inserting head isadapted to traverse a cam groove 3M (Fig. 4) formed in the lower face ofa stationary cam 302.

Cam 302 is mounted on top of the stationary shaft 25d and is keyed tothe shaft as at 303. Above the cam 302 the shaft 252 is tied to theshaft |40 by a connecting arm 303 which is also keyed to the shaft 254by the key 303 and to the shaft |40 by the key IBI. This constructionin-k 23| is formed with a douv in proper time to eiect the properreceipt of the v top end d from its positionfat they bottom of the.chute 2M as well as to present it in proper position to the closureplug opening device J and also to hold the top end for easy insertioninto a can body a at the assembling station C.

Each inner head part 232 (Figs. 12, 13 and 14) carries three suctioncups 3H which are mounted on a vertical wall 3|2 of the inner head.Prior to the inserting head approaching the position where it picks 0H atop end d, this inner head part 232 is moved on the vertical axis of thehead so that the wall 3|2 is presented squarely to the inclined top end.

Each outer head part 233 is formed with iinger extensions tilt whichextend ahead of the vertical wall 3|2 and these finger extensions passinto and through some of the slots 23| in the side walls ol the chute23,.as best illustrated in Fig. 16. These iinger' extensions engage therear edge of the inclined top end d and sweep it latorallyl oi of itssupporting chute parts 215 and carry it around with the advancing turret253. During this passage of the top end, it is retained againstdisplacement in the inserting head 28| by a circular guide plate dit(Figs. 1, 2 and 16) which is mounted on the bracket 232.

At the beginning of its travel in this circular path with the rotatingturret 253, the top end d remains in an inclined position, the guideplate die being bowed outwardly as at 3|@ to give clearance for thispurpose. This guide plate 3|5 is formed with a top wall 3W (Fig. 10)which prevents upward displacement of the top end during such travel.The guide plate is also formed with projecting guide walls 263, theclosure plug e when passing by these walls being in its closed position,as previously described. It will be observed that at the time the topend d is resting against the guide walls dit, the suction cups 3|| arespaced inwardly from the top end. l I

Guide plate Sie is out away at 22| (Fig. 16) so that the closure plugopening device J may be operated from its position outside of the pathof travel of the top end. This closure plug opening device comprisesprimarilya spider 323 (Figs. 2 and 16) which carries six projectingfingers 325. Each finger terminates in a knob 321. Spider 325 is mountedupon a vertical shaft 32d which is journaled in an upper bearing 323,formed in the bracket 202, and in a lower bearing 33|,

formed in the table section @2., Shaft 323 car- As a top end d beingadvanced along the guide plate 3m approaches the line joining thecenters of the shafts 23d and 323, a nger 322 projects its knob end 321through the slot 32| formed in th'e guide plate and this knob engagesthe closed closure plug e and hinges it into open position. The wall 3|2 of the inner head 232 is cut out as at 335 (Figs. l2 and 16) toprovide a clearance for l the closure plug when it is opened.

At the time the closure plug e is moved into open position. the top endd is brought into vertical positionby rocking the end on its base withinthe inserting head. When the top end reaches this vertical position itcomes into contact with the three suction cups 3| Thecups beingconnected with a source of vacuum at that time hold the end rigidly forits insertion into the can body a advancing into the assembling stationC.

Suction for the suction cups is valve controlled and for this purposeeach suction cup is provided with a port 34| (Figs. 12 and 13) The headpart 282 in the region of the upper suction' cups 3|! is provided with apassagewayv 3142 and the upper suction cup ports 34| communicate withthis passageway. The inner head part is also provided' with a verticalpassageway 343 which communicates with the passageway 342 for the twoupper suction cups and with the lower suction cup by means of a shortport 344. Each passageway 343 connects with a channel 345 which in turnleads into a central opening 346 (see also Fig. 4) formed longitudinallyof each spindle 285.

Each spindle 285 is provided with a lateral port 341 which in oneposition of the spindle communicates with a horizontal passageway 348formed in each turret sleeve 286. A port 35| extends vertically to thetop surface of the turret 253, such a. port being located near the innerend of each passageway.

The port 35| is closed or opened as the turret revolves around its shaft254, this being effected by a disc valve 355 (Figs. 4 and 15) whichsurrounds the shaft and is feathered to it. Valve 355 is yieldablypressed into air-tight engagement with the fiat top surface of theturret by a. spring 356 which surrounds the shaft and which is backed upby a collar 351 pinned to the shaft.

The valve 355 therefore does not rotate but is provided with an arcuatechannel 358 which is cut into the bottom surface of the valve. Thischannel is concentric to the axis of the turret 253 and is so spaced asto pass over all of the various ports 35| of the turret 253 during onerevolution. Several ports are in communication with the channel at onetime and in this way each inserting head 28| carried by the turret isvacuum controlled.

The channel 358 connects with a laterally disposed port 359 whichcommunicates at its inner end with a radial port 36| formed in thestationary shaft 254. The shaft 254 is provided with a verticallydisposed central passageway 362 which extends from just above the turretto the top of the shaft. The passageway 362 communicates with a suctionpipe 3,83 which leads to a suitable source of vvacuum such as a pump ora vacuum tank (not shown), such for example as the source of vacuum forthe suction pipe |81 (Fig. 4) The valve 355 is also provided with avertical vent port 365 which is spaced the same distance from the centerof the shaft 254 as the channel 358 and by this means. the vacuum isbroken at the cups after the end is inserted.

Fromthe foregoing it will be evident that as an inserting head with itstop end d crosses the line of centers between the shafts 328 and 254,this being when the top end is brought into vertical position, anunbroken communication is established between the source of vacuum andthe suction cups. This is by way of the pipe 363, passageway 362, ports36| and 359, channel 358, port curely held in place while its closureyplug e is being swung into its open position.

This suction-hold on the top end continues until the inserting headcomes into inserting position relative to the advancing can bodya. Thisisfor about 90 degrees of travel. At the end of this travel, the top endis gently pressed into the open end of the bodyin the proper positionrelaltive to the inwardly projecting body bead b. 'Ihe finger 3|3 atsuch time functions as a sh'oe horn to gentlyseat the top end d in theend of the can-body a.

As previously stated, this is at the same time that the bottom end cis'being inserted into the 35i of that particular head, passageway 348,the

hollow center 346 in the spindle 285 and thence by way of the ports,passageways and channels connecting to the suction cups. Accordingly airis withdrawn from the suction cups and a vacuous condition isestablished so that the top end d is drawn against the suction cups andis secan body a passing through the assembling station C. Withoutinterrupting the containers ad.- vancement, the port 35| passes beyondthe end of channel 358 and then passes under the vent port 365 in thevalve 355. Thereupon air rushes into the suction -cups and breaks thevacuum hold. The can body with its inserted end then moves on to thecreasing station K.

The bottom corner creasing unit L and the top corner creasing unit Mlocated at the creasing station K are identical in construction andoperation. A description of one such creasing unit, therefore, willapply to both and reference should be had to Figs. 1, 18, 19 and 20. Theturret |28 on the bottom end side of the machine will be considered rst.This turret carries a plurality of creasing heads 315, eight such headsbeing contemplated and disclosed herein. Each creasing head 315 isprovided with a, spindle 316 which' is mounted for oscillation in asleeve 311 formed as an integral part of the turret. l

The turret |28 is cut away in curved pockets 318, the vertical curvedwall of each pocket being concentric with the axis of the spindle. Eachcreasing head is oscillated so that as a can body a passes through thecreasing station K the particular head involved is in the properposition for creasing the corners of the extended edge of the can bodywhich is disposed outside of the inserted bottom end c. A head block 38|is formed as an integral part of each creasing head 315 and the face ofthe block-is substantially square and is provided with a counter-sunkclearance center 382. This center is not utilized in connection with thebottom corner creasing unit L but does provide a clearance for theopened closure plug e of the top end d in the top corner creasing unitM.

Extending forwardly from or in advance oi the forward face of each block38| are slotted integral lugs 383, each lug being disposed at a cornerof the block. A creasing blade 384 iscarried in each slotted lug 383 andthe four blades at the corners of each block are disposed radially ofthe center of the opening 382.

As the turret |29 revolves, a creasing head 315 swings aroundtoward theoutstanding adjacent edge of an advancing can body a, as illustrated inFig. 19. The corner blades 384, which are in advance as the head iscarried around the shaft |3|, engage the two forward corners of theadvancing can body a and press inwardly the extended body wall edge atthe forward corners and forming the corner tucks f, which thereuponpress against the inserted bottom end c. As the turret |29 continues torevolve and the advancing creasing head 315 continues to move forwardwith the can body, the two creasing blades 384 at the rear of the headnext come into engagement with the rear corner edges of the can body.

At the time the can body passes the center line

